Been meaning to post this one for some time now…A decaying lily, that a friend produced from the top of her compost heap where it had been tossed! Seriously, I do some strange things in the pursuit of art! The rusty colour on the petals is pollen.
This is one that I took outdoors, rather than in my ‘studio’, and the challenge was how to achieve a background that wouldn’t interfere with the detail of the petals. in the end, I used a hedge a few feet away, took the image at quite a wide aperture, and did a bit of tweaking in Aperture and NikEfex.
Result? You tell me…

Lost lily
It’s so stunning, Susan! The light is just perfect…you have certainly proven that there is beauty in decay!
Thanks, Susan! Much appreciated, it was an interesting one to do
Reblogged this on Tammy Hopkinson MBA and commented:
Sometimes they are even pretty when they decay! Awesome picture!
I don’t know how you can see and CREATE such beauty out of dead flowers. You are magical. 🙂
Many thanks, Cee – what a lovely comment! 🙂
Beautiful…
Thank you! Came out better than I thought 🙂
shape, texture, crisp curls – looks like a swan reaching out or perhaps a dancer. Perhaps a touch more light? But I agree with the above comments – there is beauty in decay and you have shown that all too well, and you do have a magic eye. I have really enjoyed this series.
I agree re: the light, but in order to get the background ‘out of the way’, I went with this… Glad you are enjoying the series, it ain’t over yet!! 🙂
This is really stunning, Sue. You’re a genius. 🙂
Thank you, Sylvia, really pleased you like it! But genius is going a bit far…. 🙂
😀
It is absolutely beautiful! It has a wonderful air of elegance.
Faded splendour, eh! 🙂 glad you like it, Angeline
Beauty, indeed…
Albeit faded beauty! 🙂
I am with Cee. From something most would be sending to the compost you capture such beauty.
Glad you like it, and pleased with so many people agreeing that I have captured the beauty…. 🙂
so poetic, its beautiful
Ah, poetic, I like that…maybe time to put pen to paper again? 🙂
sometimes a great picture speaks without the need for a pen 🙂
I know, but sometimes they can inspire us!
I love the way you got this effect here Sue. I thought at first that the background was some kind of material, The contrast between the hedge and the lily is exquisite.
Thank you, Sherri – much appreciated! Usually, my background is card, or a blind…but this was natural! 🙂
Oh … just something beautifully sensual in this lily …
Glad you like it, Poppy!
Beautiful capture.
Thanks very much for your comment, Shane. Glad you liked it
You are very welcome.
YAY!
Glad you like it!!
You know I did, I have them all in a folder labeled ” need more time” 🙂
:D….I take it you are referring to your artwork?
No I am referring to your photos which I hope to paint in ernest not a quickie sketch some day! I love em.
Well, that’s praise indeed! Thanks 🙂
Just the facts 🎃
Bless!
This is beautiful. You are at the top of your game when it comes to lighting a subject.
Thanks very much, Allan….I’m pleased with all the comments!
Thanks to this stunning series we have realized that the ephemeral is a form of the beautiful.
Many thanks for your fantastic comment, Marcelo!
You definitely achived it, it is a very striking photo!
Many thanks, Janaline 🙂
Love the sculptural effect Sue. Great job.
Thanks! It was a. Challenge, but it came out well 🙂
absolutely beautiful in color, composition and beauty. I love decaying things. regards Mitza
That’s two of us, then! Glad you like
LOVE this one, true artwork. ❤
Many thanks, Dina…..this image has certainly sparked a lot of encouraging comments! 🙂